Westman Islands - The Volcanic Guardians of Iceland

Overview

Lost in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Westman Islands located off the coast of Iceland seem to be on guard duty. In this isolated archipelago, men and women of strong character have learned to live with this intense Icelandic volcanic activity, sometimes risking their lives ... In 1973, the inhabitants of Heimaey had to be evacuated when a powerful eruption destroyed half of the city. Gerture had to abandon her house. She reminisces with emotion ... To access these steep islands, the islanders have adapted with tremendous ingenuity, using a zip line to hoist their sheep from a frail boat onto the green volcanic island. Further away, Surtsey Island emerged from the waves only 50 years ago, after a violent volcanic eruption, and has become a real laboratory for naturalists!